Government

LETTER: Watertown Tree Group Opposes Removal of Trees Along Path

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The existence of substantial shade trees on Cambridge property along Watertown’s Linear Park may not have been planned, but the positive environmental and community contributions of these trees to Watertown are very real and quantifiable.  Using the USDA Forest Service’s program i-Tree, a large healthy urban tree is typically assessed at many thousands of dollars in cumulative services and benefits. Regarding Cambridge’s asserted necessity to take these trees down, we must question how likely it is that shade tree species which typically have a maximum root depth of 18 inches can damage a water main that is reportedly as many as 8-10 feet underground. Cambridge is undertaking takedown of these trees, and official Watertown is acquiescing, with no public acknowlegement of the extent of negative impact this large-scale degradation of green infrastructure will have in the heart of Watertown:  damage to wildlife corridor, elimination of cooling summer shade for neighboring homes, the loss of natural interest and calming beauty which these tall trees have provided for pedestrians taking this quiet path through the congested center of Watertown. On the Cambridge City Arborist website as well as on Cambridge streets, we see evidence that Cambridge increasingly recognizes and invests in the valuable infrastructural role urban trees play in managing stormwater and in cooling urban hardscape in summer, as well as in providing beauty and a restorative connection with nature for its citizens – within its own city borders. Does Cambridge equally recognize the value of preserving shade trees on their property in Watertown?

Government

Watertown Recreation Department Seeks Summer Employees

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The Watertown Recreation Department is now accepting applications for the following positions for the 2017 calendar year. This includes immediate employment as a part time member of the staff throughout the year or seasonal work during the summer months. Applicants must be entering the 9th grade (Fall 2017) or older to be considered. Positions Available: Program Directors, Program Supervisors, Program Staff, Program Counselors, Counselor in Training, Nurse, Specialists, Pequossette Staff, Park Instructors, and Park Rangers. For all new applicants, the following documentation must be completed and returned to the Watertown Recreation Department on or before Friday, March 10, 2017

• Cover Letter (Word Document)

• Current Resume (Word Document)

• Letter of Reference

• Application for Employment – Recreation Section Included

• All new candidates will be interviewed by the Director of Recreation

• All returning seasonal employees must provide documentation for First Aid, AED and CPR

• New hires will have 6 months from their date of employment to complete First Aid, AED and CPR Certification

• All applicants will also complete CORI and SORI forms, and other documents as part of the application process.

Government

Trees Growing Over Cambridge Water Pipe Through Town Will be Removed

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Unbeknownst to many in Watertown, 20 foot wide piece of land stretching from one end of town to the other is actually owned by the City of Cambridge, and that area has become a source of confusion and controversy now that Cambridge announced the removal of trees on the land that sits above a large water pipe. The water main, 4 to 5 feet in diameter, connects Cambridge to one of its main water sources – a reservoir in Waltham. Over the years, trees have grown over the pipe and the roots of some have infiltrated the pipe. The Cambridge Watertown Department informed Watertown Tree Warden Chris Hayward at the end of January that 25 trees will be removed from the area along Linear Park (behind Town Hall) and along the Community Path between Whites Avenue and Waverley Avenue. The work will take place between Feb.

Government

Two Opportunities to Speak with State Rep. Hecht in February

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Representative Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours twice in Watertown the week of February 13. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following times and locations:

Monday, February 13
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Watertown Free Public Library
123 Main St, Lucia Mastrangelo Meeting Room

Thursday, February 16
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Watertown Town Hall
149 Main St, 3rd Floor hallway

Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Government

Councilors Give 2 Applicants for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Different Messages

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Two groups looking to set up medical marijuana dispensaries in Watertown made their cases Tuesday night, and one took a step toward being approved. Both groups have experience running marijuana dispensaries, and they appeared before the Economic Development and Planning subcommittee in an effort to get a Letter of Support or Non-Opposition from the Town Council. This letter is needed to get approval from the state to open a medical marijuana facility. NS AJO Holdings Group seeks to open a dispensary at 23 Elm Street. Chief Operating Officer Aidan O’Donovan is from Newton, but now lives in Colorado where he opened a dispensary in Northglenn, Colo.

Government

Council Subcommittee to Look at Marijuana Dispensaries Applying to Open in Town

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Town officials have received two applications from groups looking to open medical marijuana dispensaries in Watertown, and the Council’s Economic Development and Planning subcommittee will discuss the issue Tuesday. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 in the Council Chamber in Town Hall, 143 Main St., Watertown. The dispensaries would only be for patients with prescriptions for medical marijuana. Although one indicated that if recreational facilities were allowed to open in Watertown it would seek to also serve recreational customers.

Government

State Sen. Will Brownsberger Looking for Summer Interns at State House

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State Senator Will Brownsberger has announced that up to four part-time unpaid internships will be available in his State House office to students from the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex District for the summer of 2017, his office announced. Internships are open to undergraduate college students and high school students who will have completed their sophomore year. All applicants must have a permanent residence or attend school in the Senator’s district. Internships require a commitment of 8-10 hours a week for a minimum of five weeks, with possible added research work outside of scheduled hours. A cover letter and resume should be sent to Andrew Bettinelli, at Andrew.Bettinelli@masenate.gov, or mailed to Senator William Brownsberger, State House Room 504, Boston, MA 02133.

Development

Developers Looking to Turn Former Massage School into Apartment Building

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A commercial building on the Southside of Watertown could be turned into an apartment complex with nearly 50 units, but some residents were skeptical about the plans. 

On Wednesday night, developers from FSL Associates of Newton presented their plan for the property at 101, 103 Morse Street. The plan calls for building a four-story apartment building with 48 units on the property that most recently was home to the Cortiva Massage School. The proposal calls for a mix of unit sizes: 6 studios, 31 one-bedrooms, 10 two-bedrooms and one three-bedroom. The building would not exceed the existing footprint, and some of the asphalt parking area will be turned into green landscaped areas. In their application, developers argue there is little demand for an isolated commercial building in the area that is predominantly residential.